Agritourism is emerging as a key driver of rural livelihood sustainability, seamlessly blending agriculture with tourism to create economic, environmental and social benefits. This systematic literature review, conducted using the PRISMA framework, analyzes 1330 articles from the Scopus database, identifying 220 relevant studies. The review examines key aspects, including author keywords, co-authorship networks and international collaborations. The findings underscore the significant connection between agritourism and sustainable development, highlighting its crucial role in job creation, income diversification, environmental conservation and the preservation of cultural heritage. However, the development of sustainable agritourism, particularly in developing countries, faces substantial problems, including inadequate infrastructure, financial constraints and legal barriers. Overcoming these obstacles necessitates a collaborative approach involving governments, private investors and local communities. Strategic initiatives such as enhanced infrastructure, supportive regulations and financial incentives are capable of helping the sector expand. Furthermore, integrating technology, digital marketing and new business models may broaden agritourism's reach and effectiveness. Future studies should focus on ways to maximize the sector's potential, such as community-based initiatives, sustainable tourism models and cross-sectoral collaborations. With the right laws and joint efforts, agritourism has the potential to be a transformative force, promoting economic resilience, environmental preservation and long-term sustainability in rural communities worldwide.

The complexity of global food supply chains and rising consumer demands related to food safety and quality have increased the need for advanced food safety and quality management systems. While traditional testing methods are not becoming obsolete, they are increasingly supported by predictive and digital technologies, which enable early risk detection and proactive control. This paper examines the development of food safety and quality management through emerging technologies and internationally recognized standards. The review was qualitative, synthesizing evidence from international scientific, regulatory, and industry case studies on smart food safety technologies and quality assurance frameworks. It focuses on digital, automated, and non-thermal technologies used in food processing and distribution systems. The main findings indicate that high-sensitivity metal detectors and dual-energy X-ray scanners improve the detection of physical contaminants, while automation and robotics reduce handling and cross-contamination risks. IoT-based real-time monitoring helps control key parameters, and AI analytics can predict spoilage and microbial growth risks. Blockchain technology enhances traceability, enabling faster and more accurate recalls. Additionally, non-thermal interventions such as cold plasma are effective at inactivating pathogens without compromising food quality. The paper concludes that integrating these technologies into established frameworks such as GAP, GMP, GHP, GDP, GLP, and HACCP is essential for creating robust, transparent, and high-quality food systems. These insights are valuable for industry practitioners, regulators, and policymakers.

This study investigates brand competitiveness and consumer preferences for milk and milk-based products like curd, ghee, butter, sweets, paneer, etc. utilizing Factor Analysis and Multi-dimensional Scaling (MDS) to provide insights into key dimensions influencing brand perception. Factor Analysis identified five critical dimensions that together explain 70.67% of the total variance in brand competitiveness. These dimensions include Best Brand and Customer Satisfaction (18.25%), Quality, Brand Trust and Awareness (14.47%), Price-Value Perception, Availability and Packaging (14.14%), New Products and Health/Nutrition (12.56%) and Loyal Customers and Recommendations (11.23%). The findings emphasize that Brand Reputation, Customer Satisfaction, Quality and Brand Trust are crucial in shaping brand competitiveness, underscoring the importance of meeting consumer expectations. In parallel, MDS analysis mapped consumer perceptions of eight milk brands, highlighting those brands like Tirumala, Sreeja and Sri Venkateswara are positively viewed in terms of value and taste. Conversely, brands such as Vijaya, Arokya, Heritage and Dodla received lower ratings; this suggests a gap between their price and quality or taste of their offerings. These insights are valuable for brands aiming to enhance their market position and align more closely with consumer preferences.

Crop protection chemicals, commonly known as pesticides, are essential agricultural inputs designed to safeguard crops from threats like weeds (herbicides), insect pests (insecticides), and plant diseases (fungicides/bactericides). These chemicals are crucial for maintaining yield and quality in agricultural production. Pesticide consumption has shown fluctuations over the past two decades both at the national and state levels in India, particularly in Tamil Nadu. This fluctuation is due to the influence of some factors among the farmers. Hence, this research focuses on the significant factors affecting farmers preferences and perceptions towards branded crop protection chemical products in Tamil Nadu, India. A total of 100 farmers were surveyed using a purposive sampling method with well-structured questionnaires in the northern & western parts of Tamil Nadu. Factor analysis was employed for analysis, and four primary factors were identified, accounting for 81.659% of the total variance. “Product trust & effectiveness” (42.44%) was the most influential component, followed by “brand perception & loyalty” (16.68%), “accessibility and value” (11.87%), and “influence & responsibility” (10.65%). These four factors reveal how well products perform, value for money, the importance of easily available products, dealer recommendations, and concerns about environmental safety, which are all influencing the farmers’ perception towards crop protection chemicals. The insights offer actionable recommendations for firms to enhance trust, brand loyalty, accessibility, and sustainability efforts, thereby increasing farmer satisfaction.

Jasmine (Jasminum spp.) and tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) are two of India’s most cherished fragrant flowers. Jasmine is commonly used in weddings and religious functions, while tuberose is valued for decorative and perfumery purposes. Both flowers are in high global demand. However, farmers face challenges such as fluctuating prices, dependency on intermediaries, lack of cold storage, and post-harvest losses. This study aims to analyze the value chain, cost structure, marketing channels, and income patterns of jasmine and tuberose growers in Tamil Nadu. A sample of 60 farmers (30 jasmine and 30 tuberose growers) was selected from major flower-producing regions such as Madurai, Dindigul, and Coimbatore. The study was conducted using structured questionnaires, personal interviews, and focus group discussions. Analytical tools such as value chain mapping and Cost and Income Analysis were used. Results reveal that four key channels were identified: channel(I) direct sales to retailers, channel (II) commission-based mandis, channel (III) contract farming with perfume factories, and channel (IV) export-oriented marketing. The results showed that farmers engaged in direct sales or contract farming earn significantly higher net incomes than those selling at the farm gate. Perfume factories recorded the highest Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) of 1:3.53 for jasmine and 1:3.17 for tuberose, due to value addition and the high market price of absolute from extraction. Exporters also achieved better margins. The study recommends strengthening market linkages, encouraging group marketing, and enhancing government support to improve the profitability and long-term sustainability of jasmine and tuberose farming in Tamil Nadu.

Food packaging plays a crucial role in the modern food system by ensuring food safety and quality, balancing consumer requirements, and adhering to legal standards. However, the utilization of commercial packaging materials, particularly petroleum-based materials, causes severe environmental concern due to their non-biodegradability and long-term impact on the environment. Despite the rapid growth of technological research, food packaging is still fragmented across disciplines, suggesting the need for comprehensive and systematic synthesis of recent developments. In this study, a systematic literature review methodology was used to analyze innovative approaches for food industries aimed at enhancing sustainability and reducing the environmental impacts by using alternative packaging materials and methods. A total of 59 eligible research articles between January 2015 and July 2025, were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria from the Scopus database. The review identifies and analyses various novel packaging materials and technologies, along with current trends and barriers to adopt the innovative eco-friendly packaging alternatives, with particular emphasis on consumer perceptions and technological advancement in the packaging sector. Despite the evident benefits of innovative packaging materials and methods, challenges such as financial limitations, regulatory complexities, and gaps in consumer awareness hinder widespread adoption. This review highlights the importance of coordinating efforts among businesses, government, and consumers to enhance the shift towards sustainable packaging solutions across the global food supply chain. Finally, this review provides a unique combination of bibliometric analysis, material innovation, and consumer views and adoption challenges to present a clear and complete overview of research in sustainable food packaging applications.